Xavier Avery likely to be promoted to Orioles

It looks like they will be promoting outfielder Xavier Avery on Sunday.

According to a tweet from his agency, Avery has been told he will be coming up Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette wouldn’t confirm or deny the report because the move wouldn’t be official until he is activated Sunday.

The 22-year-old Avery, the club’s second-round pick in 2008, was hitting .273 with a .373 on-base percentage and .469 slugging percentage in 33 games with the Tides. He had six doubles, two triples, five homers and 16 RBIs while going 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts.

The Orioles currently have a three-man bench, so promoting Avery makes sense.

However, Avery is not on the 40-man roster, so the Orioles will have to make corresponding moves for the 25-man and 40-man rosters.